February 24, 2017
Source: Greenhouse Emporium
Photo Source: Unsplash, Thomas Verbruggen
A greenhouse is an excellent controlled environment, especially when you need to extend the growing season for seasonal plants. You can even grow certain veggies all year round. But again you may still be wondering, “Where do I start?”. Now let’s start with seeds.
Starting seeds normally happens in plain level seed trays, hydroponic trays, or single plug trays. They are prepared depending on their particular needs, for example, they may be immersed overnight, stratified, and then set in trays inside the greenhouse.
To do this, you need to understand the following greenhouse gardening basics for seasonal crops:
Be seed smart
Get a listing of what you’d wish to plant
Invest in containers
Get sterile soil to prevent plant diseases and pest infestation
Add fertilizer to your soil
Always water your plants as recommended for each individual plant
Check if your climate can handle these plants
How much sunlight are you getting
For beginners, it is important to identify the label and date per seed planted and record entries on the seed packets to recognize the plants easier. Start a little and allot your time to the seeds properly. Review the germination rate on the seed pack to decide how many seeds will provide you with the expected quantity of seedlings.
Hybrid seeds
Hybrid seeds are a healthy option because they are accessible at any garden stores. They are generally identified as F-1 by seed companies. Hybrids crossbreed two similar plants. Here are some more pros and cons of planting hybrid seeds:
Pros
They are bigger and healthier plants that look more identical.
They have greater and more consistent production.
You can harvest earlier than expected with improved yields.
They are not really influenced by ecological stress, pests, and diseases.
Cons
They are more expensive compared to other seeds.
Seeds from hybrid plants cannot be stored longer.
Some assume that the result is not that appetizing.
They will not be like their parent plant.
Heirloom seeds
Heirloom seeds are gardeners choice. You simply cannot defeat the flavor of heirloom vegetables. Heirloom types were produced particularly for their awesome flavor.
Pros
They produce a genetic variety for future cultivation.
The seeds are usually adjusted to the local environment.
They are passed on for generations.
Great for seed swaps.
Gardeners can keep the seeds for another year.
They are stable.
Cons
Your plants will not be quite like each other.
The cross-pollinated species must be separated.
Unusual plants must be removed.
It is difficult to buy some varieties in some stores.
There is no hybrid vigor.
Seed labels and their meanings
The government expects that every seed set that is offered for sale should be accurately labeled. It helps you buy the best quality that will satisfy your needs.
Open-pollinated
These seeds are also called true-to-type which will produce a true plant. It means that they will generate plants that are related to their parent plant which is essential for seed conservation.
Organic
These seeds came from plants that followed the USDA organic standards of a certain territory or region.
Non-GMO
These seeds are not grown with “recombinant DNA technology”. Non-GMO seeds are developed through specific or random pollination.
GMO
GMOs cross genes from separate plant kingdoms. Any type of seed can be GMO or open-pollinated, hybrid, and heirloom unless it is approved organic or non-GMO.
Percent germination (germ)
This shows how many seeds will sprout easily.
Hard seed
These seeds that don’t develop readily because of a thick seed coat.
Dormant seed
These seeds don’t sprout readily because it needs a pre-treatment or weathering.
2. Temperature control
Another lesson for greenhouse gardening beginners you must learn revolves around temperature control. Identify precisely what is happening inside your greenhouse.
You already have a head start with controlling the temperature of your garden by just using a greenhouse, however, no matter what you are growing you should consider getting an electric or gas heater to extend your growing season through the winter months or an Evaporative Cooling System to make it through the summer months depending on where you live.
In warmer months, you must keep it cooler in order for plants to survive. Moisture within a greenhouse is nearly always close to the peak due to the volume of greenery. Leaves generally perform a method called transpiration, in which they discharge moisture within the environment from pores in their exteriors.
It is essential to convince your plants that they are in a different climate. Greenhouses are intended to trap the warmth from the sun. If no one modified the temperature, it would keep rising or falling depending on the weather.
Its own environment is uniquely dependent on you. You should ensure that whatever heater/cooler you decide to acquire is economical, to keep your bills down.
Evaporative cooling helps regulate temperature and operates to add moisture back. It works perfectly in environments where the atmosphere is hot and dry similar to places like Arizona, Colorado, and California.
A heating system needs to be effective to sustain the desired temperature throughout the daytime and nighttime. A programmable heater with automated timers is required if the temperature normally drops below a particular period. Gardening experts also advise that these heaters are useful for propagating seeds and seedlings in cold weather. You can even opt for propagating heating mats to further cut down on your energy bills.
3. Light
There are some things a greenhouse cannot achieve. One of them is making days lasting. Most of your plants require light to flourish because the light is vital for photosynthesis. But not every light is alike. You should analyze the following aspects:
The variety of plant being grown
The season
How much daylight is achievable
Plants react in a different manner to the intensity and span of light. As plants develop and grow the number of leaves, the demand for light rises. Most of the light utilized by plants is in the noticeable light spectrum. Red and blue colored light are the wavelengths of light most widely used in photosynthesis. They are ingredients of white light or sunshine. Numerous man-made light sources have diverse color blends that may or may not suffice the photosynthetic requirements of your plants.
In summer and late spring, your greenhouse should receive adequate light for plant germination and growth. However, if you wish to plant in winter or late autumn, you might want to invest in an additional lighting system.
LED grow lights and fluorescent lamp strips are high output lighting products that will serve you well in this regard. They are a crucial element to photosynthesis and satisfactory plant germination. They are particularly effective because they will cover a larger surface area and output the full spectrum of light your crops require.
Supplementing grow lights is the best alternative if you live in the North and don’t receive several hours of winter sunlight. Application of grow lights to extend the day’s period will be very beneficial. Whether you simply need to provide your specific plant a boost, or you intend to grow right over the winter, this will be an excellent choice.
Fluorescent lighting is commonly used in the greenhouse simply when a weak natural light is possible. It is applied in propagating spaces or germination room that experience no natural light.
4. Watering
There are certain watering systems and techniques depending on your plants but the basic rules of greenhouse gardening for beginners dictate that you understand the water requirements of every plant you intend to grow. Instead of watering your crops using a general timetable, learn what is required to ensure you do not over or under-water your crops.
Signs of inappropriate watering include irregular drying, decreased shoot, and root growth and immature plants with bad quality and shelf life. This can also increase the usage of pesticides and growth controls to compensate for incorrect watering routines.
Not every plant wants the same volume or frequency of water. Over or under-watering can make plant dilemmas. Overwatering doesn’t happen when your plant is given huge amounts of water at a time. It happens when water is done too often before the soil has an opportunity to drain. To stop this, you may install a drip system, which can be utilized to regulate greater or smaller streams of water straight to pots or flat grounds. You can set this kind of water with a timer and drip gauge.
Check each plant for its watering requirements. If the plant appears light then it requires watering and if the compost is dusty and dry it means that water is necessary. Remember that it is the roots that require access to water and not the leaves. Sprinkling the leaves is a misuse of water and may increase the scope of the disease.
Pests control for greenhouse starters
A greenhouse setting favors the fast spread of pest populations. The friendly, humid environment and plentiful plants in a greenhouse give an attractive, steady habitat for pest growth. Immediate discovery and analysis of pests are required to execute the appropriate pest control decisions before the issue gets out of hand and you may experience financial loss.
These are the top pests to look out for:
Aphids
Everyone knows aphids. These delicately colored, soft-bodied insects that fill the leaves of your beloved and precious greens. Take a peek at the bottom of the leaves, this is where aphids prefer to gather. Careful pruning and cleanliness are solid habits to stop aphids from damaging your precious plants.
Thrips
Thrips vary in color from brownish to black. Thrips may leave damage extending from moderate to critical. You may stop these invasions by using screens on vents, examining new supply entering your greenhouse and regulating weeds will help to control thrips.
Bloodworms
Bloodworms are elongated, roundworms comparable to fungus gnat larvae in lacking limbs and having a well-defined brown head. The red color is because of the appearance of hemoglobin, just like in human blood. The existence of hemoglobin lets them grow in water with extremely low oxygen content.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails may increase when the moisture is high. These are nocturnal, fleshy, and slimy creatures. Cleanliness is necessary for slug and snail control. make sure your greenhouse is free of plant wastes like uprooted weeds, leaves, used boards, bricks or rocks that give a cooling and moistened hiding spots.
Common greenhouse gardening mistakes
The actual system of nurturing plants in a greenhouse needs a bit of confidence and ability. It may require a little practice beforehand so you won’t get caught up in one of these common greenhouse gardening mistakes. Here are some things to watch out for.
Temperature
One of the significant mistakes inexperienced gardeners make is skipping to observe their greenhouse temperature on a regular basis. Use a basic thermometer, or buy a digital thermometer that also has the corresponding humidity, which is so crucial to identify for stopping heat loss.
Humidity
Too much humidity may let mold, mildew, and bugs to run wild in your greenhouse. Too little will make your plants die of thirst. Misting is the best approach to improve humidity.
Ventilation
If your greenhouse has limited or no ventilation, your plants may die. You can utilize roof vents to release the warm air. Or sometimes a small fan may be required to keep sufficient air circulation.
Soil
Soil control is important, but it includes some additional challenges. Aside from the basics of combining compost and fertilizer occasionally, think of applying a blended soil mixture when preparing your bases. Do not apply old potting soil, which will carry pests and disease.
Trees
Roots from neighboring trees can invade your plants from underground, feeding up nutrients and moisture that is intended for your plants inside your greenhouse. It can also dump leaves or branches all year round. Shades can be a constant obstacle in restricting light as well. To care for your structure and plants, do not place your greenhouse near trees or position it accordingly.
The tips above will get you started on your blooming greenhouse gardening journey and ensure that your investment in a greenhouse is worth all the time, money and effort you put into your greenhouse. Having a greenhouse means any season is a planting season. Savor the excitement of having your homegrown fruits and veggies on your dining table. Have fun gardening all year round!
What are you growing in your garden this season? Are you growing anything this winter? Will you grow indoors or outdoors?
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